Radiator grille for mounting in a radiator grille arrangement and method of producing it

ABSTRACT

A radiator grille ( 10 ) for mounting in a motor vehicle radiator grille arrangement and a method of producing same, includes radiator grille having a substantially rigid frame ( 11 ) and at least one bar element ( 12 ) arranged within the frame ( 11 ). The bar element includes at least one end ( 12   a ) which, in the unassembled state of the radiator grille ( 10 ), is spaced from a portion ( 18 ) of the frame ( 11 ) and in the mounted state of the radiator grille ( 10 ) is forced into contact with the portion ( 18 ). The end ( 12   a ) of the bar element ( 12 ) and the portion ( 18 ) of the frame ( 11 ) being movable relative to one another as a result of the external application of force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a radiator grille for mounting in a motorvehicle radiator grille arrangement, and a method of producing it.

2. Description of the Related Art

In motor vehicles, radiator grille arrangements are generally providedin which a radiator grille is mounted, for example, on a support member.The radiator grille generally has a rigid frame within which a barelement or a plurality of bar elements are arranged. As the result of aspecific construction of the radiator grille together with the barelements the vehicle is given a desired visual appearance which isindividual to it. For a visually high quality appearance of the vehiclethe radiator grille is usually chromium plated or specially painted.

In order to meet the relevant safety requirements for protectingpedestrians in the event of an impact, various embodiments are knownfrom the art in which the radiator grille is guaranteed to be pivotableby means of being correspondingly movably mounted on the engine bonnetor on a component of the body work. Such an approach is described forexample in U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,889 and in DE 44 35 396 A1. What iscommon to all these constructions is that the radiator grille per se isin each case constructed as a rigid component. In the event of a frontalimpact this may have the disadvantage that in spite of being pivotablethe radiator grille itself is damaged which necessitates expensivereplacement of this component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention the aim is to provide a radiator grille inwhich the risk of damage in the event of frontal impact is reduced.

The radiator grille according to the invention is provided for assemblyin a radiator grille arrangement of a motor vehicle and generally has asubstantially rigid frame and at least one bar element mounted withinthe frame. The bar element is preferably of oblong construction and,when the radiator grille is not mounted in the radiator grillearrangement, the bar element having at least one end spaced from aportion of the frame and the end being forced into contact with theframe when the radiator grille is in the mounted state. The one end ofthe bar element and the portion of the frame are movable relative to oneanother as the result of an external force acting on the radiator grillein the event of frontal impact.

The crucial advantage of the radiator grille according to the inventionis provided by the mobility of one end of the bar element and theportion of the frame relative to one another, this mobility beingpresent in the event of a force acting from outside, i.e. a frontalimpact. One end of the bar element may also move relative to the portionof the frame in the position in which it is in forced contact with theportion, thus ensuring deflection or yielding of the bar element.Advantageously, this greatly reduces damage to the bar element, e.g. inthe form of plastic deformation or even in the form of breakage orsplintering. The yielding described also helps to reduce the risk ofinjury to pedestrians.

The radiator grille according to the invention is such that in itsso-called “initial position”, i.e. after manufacture but before assemblyin a vehicle radiator grille arrangement, one end of the bar element isspaced from the portion of the frame. This has significant advantagesduring subsequent surface treatment, as will be explained below.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the bar elementis spaced at both ends from a particular portion of the frame in the“initial position”, as explained. Other bar elements are provided withinthe frame, which are connected on the one hand to the frame and also tothe bar element, thereby fixing the position of the first bar elementwithin the frame. All the bar elements together form a so-called spidercomponent mounted within the frame.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, one end of thebar element is spaced from the portion of the frame as explained above,whereas the other end of the bar element is firmly attached to theframe. Particularly for cases where there is no spider component mountedwithin the frame, i.e. the bar element is arranged vertically within theframe, for example, without any other bar elements connected laterallythereto, a secure position or fixing is thus ensured for the barelement.

During the assembly of the radiator grille according to the invention ina vehicle radiator grille arrangement, the radiator grille is placed forexample on a support component which in turn is connected in a knownmanner to the bonnet and/or a component of the body work of the vehicle.The support part is matched in dimensions to the radiator grille and hasan abutment surface which in the assembled position bears against oneend of the bar element, this end being spaced from the portion of theframe in the “initial position” of the radiator grille. The materialused for the radiator grille is preferably such that one end of the barelement can be resiliently moved in the direction of the portion of theframe in the unassembled state of the radiator grille, i.e. when thereis a spacing between one end of the bar element and the portion of theframe. Thus, it is readily possible to assemble the radiator grille withthe support part, whereby the abutment surface of the support partpresses one end of the bar element in the direction of the portion ofthe frame or the upper frame section. As a result of the contactpressure exerted by the abutment surface on one end of the bar element,the latter is forcibly brought into contact with the portion of theframe in the assembled state of the radiator grille. Thus, in theassembled state the bar element is no longer at a spacing from theportion of the frame; to the observer there is no noticeable gap betweenthe outer surfaces of the bar element and the portion of the frame, andconsequently the appearance of the vehicle meets the optical qualityrequirements.

Generally speaking, radiator grilles are chromium plated or otherwisespecially painted in order to make a high quality and high value visualimpression on the customer. Accordingly, in an advantageous embodimentthe radiator grille according to the invention is subjected to surfacetreatment as a result of which the surface of the radiator grille ispainted and/or chromium plated. Because of the spacing of one end of thebar element from the portion of the frame as explained previously, it isensured when carrying out the surface treatment of the radiator grillethat the total surface of the bar element is also treated in addition tothe surface of the frame. If the surface treatment is carried out usingan immersion bath method, which is known and will not be described indetail here, the spacing mentioned above can prevent so-called blindspots, which are spots in which part of the surface of the bar elementremains untreated. This advantageously ensures that even in the event ofsmall movements of the bar element relative to the portion of the frame,the visual quality is maintained in every position. Furthermore,regarding the carrying out of the surface treatment, there is theessential advantage that the radiator grille according to the inventioncan be taken for surface treatment immediately after manufacture. Noother intermediate steps are required to move one end of the bar elementaway from the portion of the frame to create the desired spacing. Thishas a beneficial effect on the manufacturing costs.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention the frame has afirst and a second frame section, while the portion of the frame withwhich one end of the bar element is brought into forcible contact in theassembled position of the radiator grille is formed in the first framesection, and the other end of the bar element may be firmly attached tothe second frame section. This improves the position or fixing of thebar element.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention theportion of the frame in alignment with one end of the bar element has arecess, the dimensions of which are matched to one end of the barelement. When the radiator grille is assembled, i.e. when one end of thebar element is forcibly in contact with the portion of the frame, thisend then engages in the recess, further helping to secure the barelement in precisely the right position. The recess is advantageouslyformed on a side of the frame remote from the direction of travel of thevehicle. Thus, the bar element is pressed into the position of forcedcontact against the portion of the frame, from behind, from theobserver's point of view, in the assembled state, and this lastlyensures that the visual appearance of the radiator grille in theassembled position is sufficiently high quality. With normal observationthe onlooker will not notice that the radiator grille according to theinvention is not a conventional component which is rigid per se.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention the firstframe section is a lower frame section and the second frame section isan upper frame section, these frame sections being substantiallyparallel to one another. The minimum of one bar element is preferablysubstantially vertical in position. The abovementioned recess in theportion is designed so that one end of the bar element can move upwards,i.e. along the vertical axis of the vehicle, in the event of frontalimpact. In addition, one end of the bar element can move slightly in thedirection of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, counter to thedirection of travel, with one end of the bar element lifting away fromthe portion of the frame as a result of the external application offorce. This mobility of the bar element thus ensures that the barelement advantageously yields as explained above. If the surface of thebar element is chromium plated by surface treatment, in the event offrontal impact, the risk of the chrome flaking off can be substantiallyreduced by this mobility of the bar element.

For improved assembly with, for example, a support part of the radiatorgrille arrangement, in another advantageous embodiment of the inventionthe frame and/or the bar element and optionally the other bar elementseach have at least one clip element by means of which the radiatorgrille can be clipped to the support part. Particularly secure assemblyor fixing of the radiator grille can be achieved if a plurality of clipelements are provided on the associated bar elements. In order to ensuremobility of one end of the bar element as described above, the barelement or the bar elements each have recesses adjacent to a clipelement. This tapering of the material reduces the strength of the barelement to a controlled degree locally, so that the radiator grilleremains sufficiently flexible even in the clipped-together state.

With regard to the cheapest possible manufacture it is particularlyadvantageous to form the radiator grille according to the invention inone piece. The so-called injection moulding process is preferably usedfor this, by means of which the radiator grille according to theinvention can be produced from a thermoplastic plastic in particular. Itis particularly advantageous that the radiator grille can be removedfrom the injection mould after cooling as an injection moulding and oneend of the bar element is “locally pre-bent” so as to be spaced from theportion of the frame, as explained above. If a thermoplastic plastic isused one end of the bar element is thus resiliently movable in thedirection of the portion of the frame, so that it is readily possible toassemble the radiator grille in the radiator grille arrangement in whichthe bar element is deformed and forcibly brought into contact with theportion of the frame.

Alternatively, or in addition to the recesses described previously whichare provided on the other bar elements adjacent to the clip elements, itis also possible when producing the radiator grille from plastic toinjection-mould the bar elements in the portions mentioned so that theyare thinner, thereby providing the desired flexibility of the barelements by the thinner material cross-section as well.

The process according to the invention for producing a surface-treatedradiator grille according to one aspect of the invention, which isintended for assembly in a motor vehicle radiator grille arrangement,includes a radiator grille (10) having a substantially rigid frame (11)and at least one bar element (12) having at least one end (12 a) whichis spaced from one portion of the frame (11), in the unassembled stateand is forcibly brought into contact with the portion of the frame inthe mounted state, is characterised in that the radiator grille isoriginally shaped in one operation and then surface treatment of thesurface of the radiator grille is carried out. Advantageously, betweenthe original shaping and the surface treatment no further preparation isrequired with regard to the radiator grille, e.g. in the form ofpressing the bar element away from a portion of the frame in order toavoid the formation of so-called blind spots, as already mentionedabove.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description and the accompanying drawings.

It will be realised that the features mentioned above and those whichhave yet to be explained can be used not only in the combinationspecified but also in other combinations or on their own withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is schematically illustrated by means of an embodiment andis hereinafter described in detail with reference to the figures,wherein:

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a radiator grille according to theinvention;

FIG. 1 b shows a perspective view of a support part of a radiator grillearrangement, this support part being intended for assembly with theradiator grille in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the radiator grille according to theinvention shown in FIG. 1 together with the support part of FIG. 2adapted thereto;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the portion I in FIG. 1 in simplifiedperspective view; and

FIG. 4 shows a detail of a lateral cross-sectional view of the radiatorgrille according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 a shows a radiator grille 10 according to the invention inperspective. The radiator grille 10 has a frame 11 which issubstantially rectangular in the embodiment shown here. It will beunderstood without further explanation that the frame 11 may also haveany other desired external shape. The dimensions of the frame 11 both inwidth and in cross-section are such that it has sufficiently highinherent rigidity against bending and torsion. Within the frame 11 ismounted at least one bar element 12 which is connected to other barelements 13 along its two longitudinal sides. The bar element 12 and theother bar elements 13 together form a so-called spider component whichsubstantially fills the interior of the frame 11.

The frame 11 specifically has an upper frame section 11 a and a lowerframe section 11 b. Dotted lines in FIG. 1 a show one end 12 a of thebar element 12 in a position in which the radiator grille 10 is notmounted in a radiator grille arrangement of a motor vehicle (cf. thefollowing explanation of FIG. 2). The method of producing the radiatorgrille 10 is such that the end 12 a of the bar element 12 is in theposition indicated by broken lines in FIG. 1 after the manufacture ofthe radiator grille, the so-called initial position. In this positionthe end 12 a is thus “locally pre-bent” and thus at a spacing from aportion (concealed in this view) of the upper frame section 11 a.

In the embodiment shown here one end 12 a of the bar element 12 isspaced from the portion of the upper frame section 11 a in the initialposition of the radiator grille. The other end 12 b of the two ends ofthe bar element, on the other hand, is firmly attached to the lowerframe section 11 b, thus securely fixing the bar element 12 in preciselythe correct position.

The radiator grille 10 shown in FIG. 1 is intended for fitting in aradiator grille arrangement of a motor vehicle. It may be mounted forexample on a support part, the dimensions of which are preferablymatched to the dimensions of the radiator grille. A support part of thiskind is designated 14 in FIG. 1 b in perspective view. In is designated14 in FIG. 1 b in perspective view. In an encircling outer portion 15the support part 14 has a plurality of openings 16. On a rear side ofthe frame 11 of the radiator grille 10 there may be a number of clipelements (not shown) which can be clipped to the openings 16 in thesupport part 14. In this way the radiator grille 10 can be mounted onthe support part 14. The support part 14 has a plurality of horizontallyextending bars 17 aligned with the other bar elements 13 of the radiatorgrille 10. In the same way as on the frame 11, a plurality of clipelements (13 a) (see FIG. 1 a) which can be clipped to the bars 17 mayalso be provided on the other bar elements 13. Overall, sufficientlysecure mounting of the radiator grille 10 on the support part 14 or tothe radiator grille arrangement can thus be achieved.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the radiator grille 10 and thesupport part 14. It will be seen that the two components are matched intheir dimensions. Dotted arrows indicate that the radiator grille 10 isplaced on the support part 14 from in front, for assembly, so that theclips described above can be used.

FIG. 3 shows the portion I of FIG. 1 a in enlarged partial section.Reference numeral “1” denotes the position of the free end 12 a of thebar element 12 which receives the end 12 a after the manufacture of theradiator grille 10, before the latter is assembled with the support part14. When the radiator grille 10 is assembled on the support part 14 theend 12 a of the bar element 12 is pressed into the position designated“2”. In this position the end 12 a then bears against the upper framesection 11 a from behind.

In other words, the end 12 a is forcibly brought into contact with aportion 18 (FIG. 4) of the upper frame section 11 a in the assembledstate.

The section A—A indicated in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4, in which the end12 a and the upper frame section 11 a are shown in cross-section. In thesame way as in FIG. 1 a the end 12 a of the bar element 12 is shown in aposition marked by dotted lines which the end 12 a occupies after themanufacture of the radiator grille 10. When the frame 11 of the radiatorgrille 10 is placed on the support part 14 (a detail of which is shownin FIG. 4), a projection 17 on the support part 14 presses against theend 12 a from behind, and as a result of (preferably resilient)deformation this end is pressed against a portion 18 of the upper framesection 11 a. In the assembled state of the radiator grille 10 in whichthe radiator grille is clipped to the support part 14, for example, theend 12 a is thus forcibly brought into contact with the portion 18. As aresult of this forcible contact an outer surface 19 of the bar element12 adjoins an outer surface 20 of the upper frame section 1 a virtuallyflush, the gap 21 between the end 12 a and an edge of the upper framesection 11 a being minimised to such an extent that the desired highquality visual impression is achieved.

The mounting of the radiator grille 10 on the support part 14 issuitably ensured by means of the clip elements (13 a) which are arrangedon a rear side of the frame 11, i.e. on a side remote from the directionof travel, and engaged by means of an undercut in corresponding openings16 in the frame section 14. When the frame 11 is clipped to the supportpart 14, the end 12 a of the bar element 12 is moved from itsprestressed or initial position (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 4) intothe so-called “end position” in which the end 12 a is brought intoforcible contact with the portion 18. In the assembled state shown inFIG. 4 the bar element 12 is movable, in the event of a frontal impact,i.e. in the event of external force acting thereon, both in thedirection marked Y (vertical axis of the vehicle) and also in thedirection marked Z (longitudinal direction of the vehicle, counter tothe direction of travel). The bar element 12 of the radiator grille 10is thus able to yield in these directions under the effect of anexternal force following an impact, thereby preventing damage to theradiator grille 10 (e.g. in the form of the splintering of any chromelayer or the like applied to the surface of the bar element, or in theform of splintering of the bar element 12 itself).

The dimensions of the frame 11 in width and in the thickness of thecross-section are sufficient to achieve the desired inherent rigidity.However, the dimensions are only large enough to allow the mobility ofthe bar element described above in directions Y and Z to go togetherwith slight deformation of the frame 11, particularly the upper andlower frame sections (11 a, 11 b).

The portion 18 formed in the upper frame section 11 a may also have arecess (not shown in FIG. 4) into which one end 12 a of the bar element12 engages when it is brought into forcible abutment in the assembledposition. The recess is constructed so as to allow the above-mentionedmobility of the bar element in direction Y, whereas the bar element 12is stabilised by corresponding flanks of the recess in the transversedirection of the vehicle. The position or fixing of the bar element 12in the “normal position”, i.e. in the assembled state of the radiatorgrille arrangement, is thereby improved.

The radiator grille 10 according to the invention is characterised inthat it is not an inherently rigid component but that one of the ends ofat least one bar element is movable, even in forced contact with aportion of the frame, relative thereto. Thus, the radiator grille 10 isadvantageously flexible in construction so that the requirements of therelevant pendulum impact test are met. In this test fully resilientdeflection of the test object is required at a speed of impact of up to4 km/h. In addition, the radiator grille 10 according to the invention,when surface treatment is being carried out, has the advantage that thespacing of the end 12 a from the portion 18 prevents the formation ofso-called blind spots. No further preparation is required of theradiator grille 10 before the surface treatment. This significantlyreduces the manufacturing costs of a chromium plated radiator grille,for example.

1. A radiator grille (10) for mounting to a support part (14) of a motorvehicle, the radiator grille comprising: a substantially rigid frame(11); a plurality of spaced apart and parallel elongated lateral barelements (13) for supporting the rigid frame (11) and fixedly attachingthe radiator grille to the support part; and at least one bar element(12) arranged within the frame (11) transverse to said lateral barelements, the bar element having a first end (12 b) fixedly secured tothe rigid frame and an opposite second end (12 a) spaced from a portion(18) of the frame (11), in the unassembled state of the radiator grille(10), and being forcibly brought into contact with the portion (18) inthe assembled state of the radiator grille (10), the second end (12 a)of the bar element (12) being flexibly and elastically movable betweenand relative to the portion (18) of the frame (11) and the support part(14) as a result of the external application of force to prevent damageto the radiator grille.
 2. A radiator grille (10) according to claim 1,wherein the second end (12 a) of the bar element (12) is resilientlymovable in the direction of the portion (18) in the unassembled state ofthe radiator grille (10).
 3. A radiator grille (10) according to claim2, wherein the portion (18) has a recess adapted to receive the secondend (12 a) of the bar element (12), in which the second end (12 a) ofthe bar element (12) engages under forced contact.
 4. A radiator grille(10) according to claim 3, wherein the portion is formed on a side ofthe frame (11) remote from the direction of travel.
 5. A radiator grille(10) according to claim 4, wherein the frame (11) has first and secondframe sections (11 a, 11 b) the portion (18) with which the second end(12 a) of the bar element (12) is forcibly brought into contact in theassembled state of the radiator grille (10) being formed in the firstframe section, while the first end of the bar element (12) is fixedlyconnected to the second frame section.
 6. A radiator grille (10)according to claim 5, wherein the first frame section (11 b) is a lowerframe section and the second frame section (11 a) is an upper framesection, the frame sections being substantially parallel to one another.7. A radiator grille (10) according to claim 6, wherein the minimum ofone bar element (12) is arranged substantially vertically.
 8. A radiatorgrille (10) according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of lateral barelements (13) are connected to at least one bar element (12) and thustogether form a spider component.
 9. A radiator grille (10) according toclaim 8, wherein at least one of the frame (11) and the lateral barelements (13) have at least one clip element (13 a) for fixedly securingthe radiator grille to the support part (14).
 10. A radiator grille (10)according to claim 9, wherein the lateral bar elements (13) adjacent tothe clip element (13 a) have recesses, ensuring elastic deformation ofthe bar elements (13) under the effect of external force.
 11. A radiatorgrille (10) according to claim 10 which is integral in construction. 12.A radiator grille (10) according to claim 11 which is made from plasticmaterial, particularly a thermoplastic material.
 13. A radiator grille(10) according to claim 12 which is subjected to surface treatment. 14.A radiator grille (10) according to claim 13, wherein the surface ispainted.
 15. A radiator grille (10) according to claim 13, wherein thesurface is chromium plated.